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St Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance

Cornwall, TR18 4HPPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Mar 2023
KS2 Results
40%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
11 1st-choice / 11 places
Ranking
#12,503
of 13,686 nationally

About St Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance

St Mary's CofE Primary School in Penzance is a small Church of England primary with 139 pupils on roll, well below its capacity of 190. That spare capacity might seem surprising given the school is officially oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 26 applications for just 11 places and an oversubscription ratio of 2.36. All 11 first-preference applicants received offers, suggesting demand is strong but not overwhelming. The school serves a notably disadvantaged community: 36% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, more than double the national average of around 23% and significantly above the Cornwall primary average. This context matters when interpreting the school's academic results, as schools with high FSM rates often face additional challenges. The school also offers nursery provision from age three, making it a natural choice for local families looking for continuity through to Year 6.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterChurch of England
AddressRedinnick Place, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4HP
HeadteacherHelen Kershaw
Local AuthorityCornwall
Number of Pupils139
Free School Meals (FSM)36.0%
School Capacity139 / 190 (73% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

14 Mar 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Latest monitoring visit (14 Mar 2023): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 19 Jul 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Forest SchoolICT SuiteSports HallMusic RoomsDining HallSensory RoomChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

11

Sports

NetballGymnasticsRoundersAthleticsCross CountrySwimming

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubDramaCodingArt ClubChoir

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

Mental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance

St Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.